A hero's story

The remarkable story of one of County Durham's most famous soldiers who rose through the ranks in just three years to become the youngest general in the British Army - and won a VC - will be told on Saturday.

The remarkable story of one of County Durham's most famous soldiers who rose through the ranks in just three years to become the youngest general in the British Army - and won a VC - will be told on Saturday.

On October 1, 1916, Roland Boys Bradford, a 24-year-old Durham Light Infantry officer from Witton Park won the Victoria Cross.

On September 30, at the Durham Light Infantry Museum - almost 90 years to the day - the story of this young man, described by his superiors as " a military genius " will be told by military historian Harry Moses.

Harry, who was born in Tow Law and was head of Aycliffe Village Primary School until 1993, has had a lifelong interest in military history, particularly the DLI.

"Roland Bradford had the unique distinction of being the youngest General in the British Army during the Great War," said Harry.

"He was only 25 when he became a Brigadier General, shortly before his untimely death in November 1917. He won his VC for his bravery and leadership on 1st October 1916 during the Battle of the Somme."

Harry's illustrated talk, at 2pm, will be based on his extensive research into the remarkable military careers of the four Bradford brothers during WW1.

The brothers - Roland, Thomas, George and James - served with exceptional heroism in the DLI and the Royal Navy.

George, a Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander, was killed at Zeebrugge on his 31st birthday and was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

James, who served with the 18th Battalion DLI, won the Military Cross in March 1917. He died from his wounds two months later.

Thomas served with the 8th Battalion DLI and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He was the only one of the four brothers to survive the war.

Roland and George were the only brothers to win the Victoria Cross during the First World War.